United need a point from their final group match against Benfica after losing 1-0 in dramatic fashion at Celtic Park. Celtic 1 (Nakamura 80) Manchester United 0
A stunning free-kick from Shunsuke Nakamura in the 80th minute sealed a shock victory for the Bhoys and secured them a place in the final 16, ahead of the Reds. To rub it in, United missed a golden opportunity to salvage the situation when Louis Saha had his last-minute penalty brilliantly saved by Celtic's Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc. Saha spearheaded arguably Sir Alex Ferguson's strongest eleven - the only change to the side that had tasted victory in their last four league games saw Gabriel Heinze replace Patrice Evra at left-back. Having missed the chance to seal qualification in their last match earlier this month when they slipped up in Copenhagen, the Reds set about their task with great purpose and vigour and gave Celtic a lesson in the art of keep-ball. The movement of United’s front four - Cristiano Ronaldo, Louis Saha, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs - caused Celtic all kinds of problems, but in truth the home side did a pretty good job of making things uncomfortable for themselves. Wasteful in possession, their play was littered with mistakes. Celtic held out in the chaotic closing moments to secure a place in the knockout stages of the competition for the first time. For United it was another European away night to forget. Now they have another nailbiting match with Benfica to endure - thankfully at home.
Source: Manchester United
Picture: Soccernet
Clips: Soccerpulse
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
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